CVE-2009-0144 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CFNetwork in Apple Mac OS X 10.5 before 10.5.7 does not properly parse noncompliant Set-Cookie headers, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network for "secure cookies" that are sent over unencrypted HTTP connections.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0144 represents a significant security flaw in Apple Mac OS X 10.5 operating system versions prior to 10.5.7. This issue resides within the CFNetwork framework which handles network communications and cookie management for applications running on the macOS platform. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of Set-Cookie headers that do not conform to standard web cookie specifications, creating a potential pathway for attackers to access sensitive information through network sniffing activities.
The technical flaw manifests when CFNetwork encounters noncompliant Set-Cookie headers in HTTP responses. Normally, secure cookies should only be transmitted over encrypted HTTPS connections to prevent interception and unauthorized access. However, the vulnerable implementation fails to properly validate these headers, allowing certain cookie data to be processed even when sent over unencrypted HTTP connections. This behavior creates a scenario where attackers can capture network traffic and extract sensitive cookie information that should have been protected by the secure flag mechanism.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a serious risk to users of affected macOS versions who conduct web browsing activities over unencrypted connections. Attackers can employ passive network sniffing techniques to capture HTTP traffic and extract cookie data that contains session identifiers, authentication tokens, or other sensitive information. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as these captured cookies could potentially be used to hijack user sessions, gain unauthorized access to web applications, or perform other malicious activities that compromise user privacy and security. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and proper security boundary enforcement in network communications.
The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and demonstrates how improper validation of security-critical data can lead to unauthorized information disclosure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through network sniffing and information gathering, specifically T1041 for Exfiltration Over Command and Control Channel and T1567 for Exfiltration Over Web Service. The vulnerability also reflects poor input validation practices that should be addressed through proper security coding standards and thorough testing of network protocol implementations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate installation of Apple's security patches that update the CFNetwork framework to properly validate Set-Cookie headers and enforce secure cookie transmission policies. Users should also avoid conducting sensitive activities over unencrypted HTTP connections and ensure all web browsing occurs over HTTPS whenever possible. Network administrators should implement proper monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts and consider network segmentation to limit the impact of potential cookie-based attacks. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure and ensure all systems maintain current security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.